What practical steps can we take to deepen our understanding of Jesus' teachings? Hearing the Warning in John 5:45 “Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope.” (John 5:45) Jesus alerts His listeners that the very Scriptures they revere—Moses’ writings—testify about Him (John 5:39). If we miss Christ in those pages, the God-given Law becomes our accuser instead of our guide. This verse invites us to move from mere familiarity with biblical words to a living, Christ-centered understanding. Practical Steps to Deepen Our Grasp of Jesus’ Teaching • Anchor your reading in the whole Bible story. The Law points to Christ (Luke 24:27); the prophets spotlight Him (Acts 10:43); the apostles explain Him (Ephesians 3:4–5). • Trace promises and patterns. From the Passover lamb (Exodus 12) to the bronze serpent (Numbers 21; John 3:14), look for recurring themes that climax in Jesus. • Use cross-references generously. When the New Testament quotes or alludes to the Old (e.g., Deuteronomy 8:3 in Matthew 4:4), pause and read the original passage. • Read slower, not shorter. A single paragraph pondered deeply yields more than hurried chapters. Consider copying key verses by hand to notice every word. • Meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2). Turn verses over in your mind while walking, washing dishes, or driving. Repetition sinks truth past the intellect into the heart. • Memorize strategically. Start with core passages—John 14–17, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Romans 8—and review them aloud. • Obey the light you have. “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God” (John 7:17). Revelation follows obedience. • Rely on the Spirit’s illumination. “We have received… the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:12). Begin each study by consciously acknowledging His presence. • Compare translations—but keep a primary text. Noting nuances across versions sharpens insight, yet anchoring in one translation aids memorization. • Engage trusted resources. Conservative commentaries, study Bibles, and Bible dictionaries can clarify historical context without replacing personal study. • Discuss in community. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Small groups, family devotions, or even two friends over coffee can surface insights you might miss alone. • Examine your assumptions. The Pharisees thought Moses supported their view, yet Moses accused them. Ask: Where might I be resisting what Scripture plainly says? • Keep a journal. Record observations, connections, and applications; track how God’s Word corrects and comforts over time. • Watch for Jesus in every genre—law, poetry, prophecy, narrative. He is the true and better Adam (Romans 5), the final Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), the faithful Israelite (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15). • Celebrate fulfilled prophecy. When you see accuracy in the past—Bethlehem for His birth (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5)—your confidence in future promises grows. Living What We Learn Scripture study is never an end in itself. As Moses once led Israel to covenant faithfulness, Jesus now calls us to abide in Him (John 15:4). With open Bibles, surrendered wills, and Spirit-empowered hearts, we move from information to transformation—fitting preparation for the day we stand before the One of whom Moses wrote. |
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